Donor to match up to $10,000 in gifts to new One Acre Cafe in Johnson City

One Acre Cafe, the nonprofit restaurant that will allow everyone to eat regardless of their ability to pay, has received a $10,000 “match-gift challenge” from an anonymous donor.

If matched in full by monetary donations from other contributors before the end of October, the $10,000 challenge will allow the cafe to begin operations this fall.

“Any donation given toward the challenge will be matched up to $10,000,” Jan Orchard, executive director of the nonprofit cafe, said. “If One Acre Cafe receives a complete match by Oct. 31, it will be able to open on schedule.”

With strong support from community contractors, building supply distributors, individual volunteers and others, renovation of the building at 603 W. Walnut St. that has been leased by the cafe is nearing completion.

A $50,000 capital campaign to cover the cafe’s first six months of operation is under way and has received more than $13,000 in contributions. The funds are needed to hire a chef and purchase several pieces of kitchen equipment, pots, pans and utensils and other items needed to operate a commercial kitchen.

If met by other contributors, the match gift challenge will bring the cafe $20,000 closer to its opening, Orchard said.

“The people in Johnson City and the surrounding area have been so encouraging and supportive. I hope they will respond to this challenge in a big way.

“We are on the crest of a wave and this match challenge could be the very thing which enables us to open One Acre Cafe in the fall as we have promised.”

Donations to help reach the $10,000 match can be made online at www.oneacrecafe.org or by mail to One Acre Cafe, P.O. Box 3411, Johnson City, TN 37602. One Acre Cafe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Volunteer opportunities and more information about the cafe can be found at www.oneacrecafe.org or may be obtained by contacting Orchard at 833-8033 or jan@oneacrecafe.org, or Cafe Administrator Michelle Watts at 218-7900 or michelle@oneacrecafe.org.